Democratic state attorneys general are mobilizing for what they see as unprecedented legal challenges against former President Trump's potential second term, with California Attorney General Rob Bonta joining a coalition preparing to defend constitutional principles through court action.
Meeting high above Hollywood Boulevard this week, the Democratic Attorneys General Association (DAGA) gathered to strategize their approach to mounting legal challenges. The group has already filed six of over 60 lawsuits against Trump and his allies in just the first three weeks of 2024.
"What we're seeing is a scope and a scale and a pace of illegal and unconstitutional activity that has not been seen in American history," said New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin during the policy conference.
The association, which began modestly in 2002 as a counterpoint to Republican attorneys general, has evolved into a powerful legal alliance. Last year, DAGA raised nearly $20 million from various donors, including notable figures like Steven Spielberg and organizations like X and TikTok.
California has committed $25 million to strengthen Bonta's office against potential constitutional challenges. While Bonta maintains optimism about the system's resilience, other attorneys general express deeper concerns about the current political climate.
"I never felt that we were losing our democratic system, our separation of powers, our three branches of government," said Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings. "I feel we are in that crisis now. And it feels very different."
The group has already seen some early victories in district courts, including successful challenges to Trump's executive order on birthright citizenship. However, members express concern about potential Supreme Court battles, where three Trump-appointed justices sit on the bench.
"At some point soon the United States Supreme Court is going to be tested," said Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes, highlighting the gravity of upcoming legal confrontations.
As these top state lawyers prepare for what they view as a critical period in American legal history, they emphasize their role as defenders of constitutional principles while trying to make their efforts relatable to average citizens. Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell noted their strategy of connecting constitutional issues to everyday concerns: "It's not just that it's the Constitution — it's a contract between the government and you."